Arguably the most important Blues artist of all time, the legendary singer, songwriter, and guitarist Muddy Waters was born today in 1915!

McKinley Morganfield got his stage name from playing in a muddy creek as a boy in Mississippi. Waters grew up immersed in Delta Southern Blues which he famously brought to Chicago after World War II in 1943.

The guitarist came to be known as “The Father of Chicago Blues” and recorded such incomparable classics as “I Can’t Be Satisfied,” “Hoochie Coochie Man” and “Got My Mojo Workin.”

The list of those influenced by Waters is virtually endless. Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, Bill Wyman, Led Zeppelin, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, as well as a little known British band who named themselves after his 1950 hit “Rollin’ Stone” all cite Waters as a major influence.

Today, Waters is widely considered one of the defining figures of the Rock & Roll genre. His legacy continues to inspire artists everywhere and he still has legions of fans across the globe.

The legend passed away on April 30, 1983. He would have been 98 this year.